31.07.2026 – Small and large dolphins
August 6, 2026
02.08.2026 – Large headed
August 9, 2026
The weekend started well with a day full of amazing sightings ! We encountered one Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni), Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and large pods of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis).
The sperm whales that we saw were solitary adult males. These massive bulls can reach from 15m to 20m and weigh up to 60 tons. They travel vast distances and they can live up to 60 years. Adult males are able to consume about a ton of food every day, in search of deep-water squid and fish.
The spotted dolphins were very playful and curious ! We were able to observe new additions in the pod: newborns and calves jumping and playing in the waves. They swim next to their mother in a formation called echelon swimming. This smart positioning is energy-saver as the wave of his mom pushes the baby forward, allowing them to keep up the speed.
We wish these little ones a healthy and good life, full of jumps and playdates !
By Juliette Colançon
Sightings of the day
Ribeira Brava
09:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bryde’s whale, Sperm whale
13:00 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Sperm whale
Steno
09:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bryde’s whale, Sperm whale
13:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Sperm whale
16:30 Atlantic spotted dolphins, Sperm whale
